Book II : Ayodhya Kanda - Book Of Ayodhya

Chapter[Sarga] 8
Verses converted to UTF-8, Nov 09

Introduction

Manthara with her wicked thoughts tries to convince Kaikeyi of the possible misfortune that could occur to Kaikeyi and her family if
Sri Rama becomes the King. Although Kaikeyi's initial reaction is to praise Rama's qualities; her mind is slowly but surely poisoned by Manathara's
sinful words.

7. bhaamini = Kaikeyi!; pratyaasanna krameNaapi = In line with proximity of birth; raajyakramaH = the
lineage of kingdom; bharatasyaiva = is to Bharata only; tayoH taavat = to the extent of other two(Lakshmana and Satrughna);
kaniiyasoH = who are younger; viprakR^ishhTaH = it is far away.

"Oh Kaikeyi! In line with even the proximity of birth; the claim to the throne of Bharata alone can be pressed, that of Lakshmana and
Satrughna who are younger is out of question."

9. kausalyaa = Kausalya; subhagaakhalu = is having good fortune; yasyaaH = that Kausalya's;
putraH = son; svaH = tomorrow; pushyeNa = on the day of Pushyami star; abhishhekshhyate = is going to be
anointed; mahataa yauvaraajyena = for great princely kingdom; dvijottamai = by the best of Brahmans.

"Kausalya is very fortunate. Brahmans are going to anoint her son for the great princely kingdom tomorrow on the day of Pushyami
star".

"With folded arms, as a maid-servant, you have to serve that Kausalya who having reached great prosperity, in the height of joy, will
dispose of her adversaries (in the person of Bharata and yourself)".

"Rama's wives will get delighted. Your daughters-in-law will be unhappy because of Bharata's waning position."

Comment: The words 'Rama's wives' here do not indicate that Rama had multiple wives. Manathara refers to a possible future where
Rama being a King would marry other women. It was a norm then for a king to have more than one wife.

17. manthare = O; Manthara! praapte = (When we) got; abhyudaye = an occasion for rejoicing;
vartamaanecha = as at present ; kalyaaNe = and when a festive occasion; bhavishhyati = is to come off in future (too in
the form of Bharata's installation; no matter even if it comes after a hundred years); kimartham = why; saa tvam = that you;
paritapyase = feel agonized like this as though burning (with jealousy)?

"Oh, Manthara! When we got an occasion for rejoicing as at present and when a festive occasion is to come off in future (too in the
form of Bharata's installation, no matter even if it comes after a hundred years), why do you feel agonized like this as though burning (with
jealousy)?"

"You sent Bharata to his maternal uncle's house even in his childhood. By being nearer, love is born even on inanimate objects. By
sending Bharata to a distant place, you made Dasaratha to have no affection towards him."

30. shruuyate hi = it is heard that; kashchit = certain; drumaH = tree; chhettavyaH = which
is to be cut; vanajiivibhiH = by people living in forest; mochitaH = was relieved; paramaat bhayaat = of (this) great
danger; ishhiikaabhiH sannikarshhaat = by proximity to Ishhiika grass.

"We hear that a tree marked down for felling by foresters, when covered by thorny Ishhiika grass, is saved from this great danger of
cutting. So also, Dasaratha might have supported Bharata if he was staying near to him in Ayodhya."